Does your home have asbestos-containing material? Roofing, lagging, insulating boards, textured coatings, asbestos cement products, floor tiles and house siding, etc., are some of the materials that may contain asbestos in your home. This is often the case for relatively old buildings because asbestos was phased out as a building material due to its association with health-related issues. Therefore, it's highly unlikely that a modern house will contain asbestos.

Nonetheless, if your home has been confirmed to contain asbestos, it would be best to plan for removal, especially if you have an upcoming home renovation project. However, asbestos removal isn't a straightforward exercise, especially if you plan to do it alone. Here's what you need to know:

Doing It Yourself Isn't Recommended

Before your asbestos removal project, it's worth noting that doing it alone isn't usually recommended, and it's illegal in some states. Therefore, you need to be extra careful not to go against the law and face huge fines and penalties. For this reason, it's always best to check with your local council before undertaking any home renovation to ensure you adhere to the building codes and regulations on aspects like asbestos removal.

The reason for strict regulations on asbestos removal is its impact on health. Disturbing asbestos-containing materials can release asbestos fibres into the air, which can cause respiratory and other health complications when inhaled. Therefore, it's always best to leave the exercise to licensed professionals.

Understand The Requirements For Doing It Yourself

If you are an avid DIYer, taking on some tasks around your home can save you the labour costs of hiring a professional. And when it comes to asbestos removal, some states and territories will allow you to undertake the task yourself. However, you must follow certain guidelines to keep everyone safe from asbestos fibres. It is therefore imperative to acquaint yourself with all the guidelines to make your project successful.

First, as a non-licensed person planning to do asbestos removal work, you must prove your competency to undertake the task. You need to demonstrate your level of training and experience in asbestos removal. You will also need to prove that you have the right tools to take on the job. Therefore, consider taking a training course in asbestos removal or leave it to licensed asbestos removalists if the cost of hiring one is lower.

The asbestos you intend to remove should also be non-friable. That means the asbestos-containing material should not crumble easily by hand pressure. Materials that are more resistant to damage and abrasion reduce the possibility of asbestos fibres being released.

It's also worth noting that you are limited to a maximum area of asbestos. Therefore, if the asbestos in your property covers a larger area, you will be required to hire a licensed removalist. Several other requirements exist on DIY asbestos material, including personal protective equipment and disposal techniques, so check with your local council to ensure you have all the guidelines you need for the project.

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